Are they struggling to control the water collecting in your basement? Believe it or not, damp basements are a common daily issue many American homeowners face. It’s so common most people give up their search for dry basement solutions before they’ve even begun.
Whatever you do, don’t do this. Ignoring the current state of your basement will cause more health and home damage than you could ever imagine. It is not worth it, mainly when solutions exist.
If you’re looking to fix your wet basement and don’t know where to look, keep reading. Below, you can find everything you need to know about wet basements’ causes, dangers, and solutions.
Causes of Wet Basements
Before you can identify the best-wet basement solution, you’ll need to identify the cause. There are many potential causes for your basement’s current state and an equal number of solutions, and locating the source will give you the most precise idea of where to fix it.
Poorly Installed Windows
Bad window installation is one of the more common causes of basement water. When windows are poorly installed, gaps and cracks in their seal eventually allow water to leak inside your basement, filling your floors and belongings with unwanted water.
This issue will need professional attention, but if you need to wait a few days before you call or want a temporary fix, try filling the hole with an absorbent filler. Once it is corrected, your basement can get professionally dried or waterproofed.
Cracked Foundation
Another source of your wet basement could be small cracks. Despite their small and insignificant appearance, these cracks can become damaging when ignored. They are caused by a poorly designed foundation and the natural settling of soil in older homes.
If your home is older, pay additional attention to this cause.
Whatever the reason is, there is no temporary fix for this issue. You will need to have the foundation repaired by a professional before taking any waterproofing precautions.
Bad Grading
When your home’s foundation was laid, the dirt around it should have sloped away from it. When done correctly, the grading will keep water from your basement. If you notice the grading around your house is flat or sloping toward your home, it has been improperly done.
The water is directed toward your basement, making it more likely to flood. If this looks and sounds like your grading, fix it by redirecting the grading away from your basement. You can do this personally or professionally.
Once you get this fixed, have a professional basement company waterproof it; this will help prevent future leaks and give you peace of mind.
Why Wet Basements Are Serious
If you don’t understand why the water collecting in your basement is such a big deal, you may not want to take care of it. It is a significant and time-consuming job, after all. But if you do not dry your basement and take waterproofing seriously, you will soon regret it.
Rotting Materials
Believe it or not, excess moisture in your basement can cause many severe structural issues. Once wet, the wood headers, columns, drywall, sill plates, and many other critical parts of your basement’s structure will soon decay, causing the structural integrity of your basement to begin to lessen.
Rotten materials are more likely to cave in and fall on someone, and they may even seriously injure you. Not only is this serious, but the cost of fixing a big issue is also relatively high.
Save yourself the cost and potential health risks of owning a wet basement, and be proactive. Find the cause of your water issues and take the needed steps to fix and dry them.
Mold
One of the most significant consequences of ignoring basement moisture is mold. If this doesn’t alarm you, it should. Mold can cause many health issues, such as an influx of allergies, asthma, cancer, and Bronchitis.
You may even end up in the hospital if it becomes severe enough. This is why being proactive regarding basement water is so intense. Mold Identification
Once you’ve seen mold, you likely won’t forget it. But if you’ve never encountered it, the substance may be hard to find. One of the easiest ways to detect mold is by smelling it.
If your basement smells musty, earth-like, or sour, mold is in the room. You can also find it by looking where it usually resides, including pipes, ceilings, and around vents.
Anywhere consistently damp is another place you should look. Mold can also grow behind drywall or inside rotting wood. You can check for it by pulling pieces of the wall away with a tool and looking for it. If you see a fuzzy black, grey, or even green substance, you’ve found it. Mold Removal
If your basement already has mold, you need to clean it up. If the amount of mold is low and you are up to it, you can try to clean it yourself. Just remember that mold is nothing to play around with.
One wrong move, and you could fall ill with a mold-related disease. In other words, take the proper safety precautions. This includes wearing gloves, a mask, glasses, and shoe covers.
If this is not the solution you’re looking for, that is fine. You can always have your basement professionally tested and cleared of mold. If you do this, professionals will try your home for mold.
If you don’t need a new guest room or already have a den, don’t worry. Your basement can become more than just that. You could turn it into a game room, media room, kid’s room, laundry room, bathroom, and more.
If they find it, they will take the proper precautions and remove it. They will also provide mold prevention services. If you do not want to deal with mold or do not know enough to do so, save yourself the stress and call a professional.
Dry Basement Solutions
Each method will lead you to the same solution when drying out your basement. You must fix the leak after locating the water in your basement and finding its source.
As stated earlier, you can do this temporarily or permanently by a professional. After fixing the leak, you must ensure your basement stays waterproof and safe. If your basement is unfinished and rarely used, consider a basement renovation.
This will not only give you more space but also keep you in your basement more frequently. The more time you spend here, the less likely future leaks and problems will occur. This is because you will be down there enough to detect any issues before they worsen.
Options are endless.
Additional Reasons to Renovate Your Basement
A basement renovation will solve your wet basement issues and have a few additional benefits. As stated earlier, the basement renovation will give your home more room. This is great if your growing family is growing or your home is already a little cramped.
Your new basement will also add value to your home and strengthen the overall property. These qualities are substantial selling points if you plan to move one day. It can also allow you to add more of yourself to your home.
This is because you can cater to your preferences regarding design and decoration.
Professional Basement Renovation
If you plan to renovate a basement, you cannot do it alone. Especially if your basement is unfinished, you must install insulation, drywall, paint, fixtures, and more. This doesn’t even count the demolding and structural repairs you may need to make before you begin.
This is why you need to call a professional. A professional renovation service can do all the required tasks and much more. The best part is that they will do it all within your budget.
You won’t need to spend more than you are capable of, and you won’t find yourself taking on tasks above your skill set. This can become both dangerous and costly for you and your family.
Call your basement service, tell them what you want, discuss prices, and begin designing your renovation. Before you know it, you will have the room of your dreams.
Give Your Basement Some Love
If your basement requires a few dry basement solutions, waterproofing, and repairs, or if you want to create the finished basement of your dreams, give NOVA Basement Finishing a Call. Our services include everything you need to dry your basement and transform it into a finished room. We even have design ideas on our website to get those creative juices flowing and give you an idea of what to expect from this process.
Visit our website to find this information and much more. We look forward to hearing from you!